Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Visual Function via Optomotor Response and Cognitive Function via Y-Maze in Diabetic Rats
Published on: October 23, 2020
Decreased contrast sensitivity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Constantine D Georgakopoulos1, Maria I Eliopoulou, Artemis M Exarchou
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Patras School of Medicine, Patras, Greece. cgeorg@otenet.gr
Purpose:
To evaluate contrast sensitivity in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus without evidence of diabetic retinopathy.
Methods:
Sixty patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (age range: 8 to 18 years) were studied. Their contrast sensitivity scores were obtained using the CSV-1000 device (Vector Vision, Dayton, OH) for four spatial frequencies and were compared with v scores of 45 age-matched and gender-matched "healthy" patients. Contrast sensitivity values were also correlated to patient's age, duration of disease, and metabolic control of diabetes mellitus.
Results:
The patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a significant contrast sensitivity score reduction at all spatial frequencies tested. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were inversely related to the contrast sensitivity thresholds. No significant correlation was found between the contrast sensitivity scores and the patient's age or duration of disease.
Conclusion:
Contrast sensitivity defects are detected in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These defects may represent an early dysfunction of the retina, visual pathway, or both in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who do not show any signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

